We often get to talk about what gets lost in conflict and what’s left behind. Seldom do we focus on how to put those pieces back together. Among the great losses of war, one significant aspect that we often forget to focus on is emotional healing. Thousands of dollars of aid go in and out, trying to provide food, shelter, and the essential means to read and write, but do we ever stop to consider how to heal the soul?
In Rwanda, after the horrors of the 1994 genocide, what I found unique was that healing the soul was actually given some importance. A million lives were lost in 100 days, leaving behind not just a view of hell but an entire generation of children scarred by violence. For these young survivors, returning to school was not just a matter of education—it was a matter of survival. The classroom offers an experience that no aid could ever do. It provides a sense of belonging, hope, and a path toward emotional recovery.
The program Never Again Rwanda took on this challenge with innovation and empathy. All the children of trauma carry invisible scars, such scars entwined within their very being that may not be visible to the naked eye but what influences every finger they lift, every word they speak. This program introduced art therapy into the curriculum. For children who saw their families torn apart, painting became a lifeline. Their emotions flowed onto paper—their pain etched within those very lines. These creative exercises allowed children to express what words could not.
Storytelling became another powerful tool. It gave children a voice, without having to speak. Teachers encouraged them to share their experiences as victims and survivors. Listening to each other’s stories built bridges between different sectors of society, planting the seeds of empathy and understanding. For many, it became a way to mend their relationship with not just their society but with the world that left them without mercy. Not just with each other, but with the world that had left them without mercy, abandoning them.
I believe that every nation, every ethnicity, every race that faces conflict should focus on ways to not just mend the mere body, but the souls. I once heard that spiritual healing is the window to the soul; as the soul heals, the outside changes. Studies have shown time and time again that art, in any form, has a meditative effect on the mind and the body. Some people still find it hard to fathom that a task as little as scribbling lines on a piece of paper can fix something within our brains, but have you never heard the rain, the birds chirping at sunrise, the moon on a clear night? It is often the simplest of things that bring us peace.
This article offers a poignant exploration of the often-overlooked aspect of emotional healing in post-conflict recovery. By focusing on Rwanda's approach after the 1994 genocide, the author illuminates how initiatives like Never Again Rwanda used innovative tools such as art therapy and storytelling to mend the psychological wounds of a deeply traumatized generation. This perspective enriches our understanding of post-conflict recovery, shifting the narrative from material aid to addressing the intangible, yet profound, scars of the human soul.
I completely agree with you, it is evident that the inclusion of such healing practices in post-conflict recovery plans is essential for building lasting peace. Healing the soul is a crucial yet understated aspect of recovery—and it is as simple as finding peace…
This post beautifully captures the essence of healing through education and art, especially in a post-genocide context like Rwanda. It’s powerful to consider how, after unimaginable trauma, returning to school became more than just an educational opportunity—it became a space for emotional recovery. The idea that education can offer not just knowledge, but a sense of belonging and hope, is something that’s often overlooked in the typical discourse about education in conflict zones.
The inclusion of art therapy and storytelling as tools for healing is particularly inspiring. It’s a reminder that healing can’t always be achieved through traditional methods—it requires empathy, creativity, and a safe space to express deep pain. I wonder, though, do you think similar programs could be…
Thank you, Niwal, for the points brought up in this blog post. In the aftermath of conflict, much focus is placed on the tangible aspects of recovery—food, shelter, and access to education—while the emotional and psychological healing of individuals, particularly children, is often overlooked. Never Again Rwanda demonstrated how integral emotional recovery is, through programs that incorporated art therapy and storytelling into the healing process. By allowing children to express their trauma through creative means, these children, scarred by unimaginable violence, were able to give voice to their pain in ways words could not capture.
But the question arises: how can we prioritize emotional healing in conflict zones where immediate survival often takes precedence? Is it possible to create educational frameworks…
Wow Niwal- Ive never really thought about healing from conflict in this way. This blog offers a poignant reminder that rebuilding a society is not just about repairing its infrastructure but mending the unseen wounds carried within its people. The emphasis on programs like Never Again Rwanda is deeply moving, as it demonstrates that recovery isn’t confined to physical survival but extends to emotional and spiritual survival as well.
Your focus on art therapy and storytelling as tools for healing is particularly striking. These forms of expression—simple yet profound—offer a way for children to process trauma that words alone often cannot convey. The imagery of children pouring their emotions onto paper, or finding their voices in shared stories, paints a powerful…
This blog beautifully highlights an aspect of recovery from conflict that is often neglected: the emotional and spiritual healing of those who have endured unimaginable trauma. The story of Rwanda’s genocide survivors, especially children, and their journey to heal through programs like Never Again Rwanda is both sobering and inspiring. Art therapy as a medium for expression is so powerful - it lets emotions that are too overwhelming for words find their voice in colors and shapes. It’s incredible to think how something as simple as painting can hold the key to untangling years of buried pain.
What really stood out to me was the emphasis on storytelling. Encouraging children to share their experiences not only helps them process their…